Company Overview

Regardless of what competitors might say, McDonald's remains the burger king. Despite its high-fat offerings, the world's leading fast-food and franchise operator (and largest holder of commercial real estate—it owns the land beneath and surrounding each restaurant) remains relatively healthy, with almost 32,000 stores in 120 countries. The company also owns the Boston Market chain, and a small interest in U.K.-based sandwich chain Pret a Manger. After a sluggish few years of financial performance partly attributed to a growing national health craze, McDonald’s has turned its focus to including leaner, more health conscious fare to its menu such as premium salads, and eliminating some of the “super size” items from its choices. It has also slowed the number of new restaurants it’s opening, choosing instead to focus on building sales at existing locations. In 2006 it rolled out premium coffee and espresso drinks as its latest effort to attract more devotees. The company hopes to have 1,000 locales open in China by the start of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.